January 13, 2011.docx

HIST 260
2011-01-13
WOMEN GET THE VOTE
- It was widely believed that the country would go to ruin if women got the vote, leading to
divorces, etc.
- By 1955, most of those fears had evaporated, and women voting became pretty normal.
- Women were able to vote prior to Confederation.
o Only if they owned property.
o Confederation removed that right.
- Immigrants are seen to be a source of problems.
o Also seen as a source for loss of jobs and resources.
o Immigrants are typically legislated against.
 Not encouraged to set up communities in Canada.
o After WWI, troops came home with many STDs.
 Antibiotics weren’t widespread in this time.
 Major problem for babies and families.
o Birth control is seen as a form of race suicide.
- In the 1990s, there was early action against feminists.
o Since that time, things have levelled out.
o This has tainted our memories.
- First wave of feminism
o Really started in the 1850s
o Coalition of reformers supported broad reforms—women/children
 Nellie McClung
 Staged play of women as legislators allowing men to vote.
 Rodmond Roblin was premier of Manitoba at the time.
o Women pretty much accepted that they were inherently different.
o Equity is more of equivalency
 Equality feminism emphasizes women’s equality with men and wants the
same treatment, privileges and responsibilities.
 Equity doesn’t really come around until the 70s or 80s
- WWI acts as a catalyst
o Maternal ideology: women’s/mother’s sacrifice honoured
o Women sacrifice their time, energy and are tremendously important
 Gives them a claim of citizenship
o Eventually, women get to vote, as long as they are wives of men serving in the